VIDEO: Nigerian spoken-word artiste Ibquake shines at Youth Olympics

Nigerian spoken-word artiste Ibukunoluwa Ajagbe, popularly known as Ibquake has put Nigeria in the spotlight after delivering a spoken-word performance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

The performance took place on Saturday, October 31, at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio, marking a historic moment as Senegal becomes the first African country to host an Olympic sporting event.

Through her performance, Ibquake celebrated African identity, cultural heritage, diversity and unity, highlighting the continent's collective strength and potential.

In one of the standout lines from her piece, she said: “And if we can do so much apart, imagine what happens when 54 nations move as one. Our diversity is our greatest technology.”

Her piece also referenced Alkebulan and Sitoé, symbolic characters featured in the ceremony, before declaring: “This is not just any one nation. This is Africa.”

The performance formed part of a wider cultural showcase featuring more than 1,100 performers, including Senegalese musicians Baaba Maal, Kiné Lam and Daara J Family, as well as Gambian kora musician Sona Jobarteh.

Other highlights included traditional Senegalese dance, wrestling, percussion, hip-hop and visual arts, with Senegalese-born social media personality Khaby Lame also making an appearance during a live-painting presentation.

The opening ceremony held at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio, with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially declaring the Games open.

The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will run from October 31 to November 13, bringing together approximately 2,700 young athletes from around the world to compete in 25 sports.

The event marks the first time an Olympic sporting competition is being hosted on African soil, placing the continent at the centre of a historic moment in global sports.